QUETTA: In an effort to reconcile with annoyed leaders of Balochistan, the provincial government on Wednesday announced the withdrawal of 89 cases against various nationalist leaders, including Brahamdagh Bugti, Sardar Akhtar Mengal and Jamil Bugti.

Official sources said Chief Minister Aslam Raisani directed the authorities concerned to comply with the directives issued by Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani during his speech in the National Assembly, where he said all politically-motivated cases against Baloch leaders would be withdrawn. The government has also agreed to withdraw cases against Brahamdagh Bugti, chief of the Balochistan Republican Party (BRP), which Islamabad accuses of having taken shelter in Afghanistan and operating with the alleged support of India.